John O'Connor

WILDWOOD — With the first day of the annual New Jersey State Firemen's Convention falling a day after the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, city fire Chief Ernie Troiano III told the audience to "live every day like it's Sept. 12, 2001."

"Today is the 24th anniversary of perhaps the brightest day in our history because we all came together as one," Troiano said at the start of the convention. "Color and political party didn't matter; we came together as Americans. We stood tall like Americans do. I encourage everyone to live life that way."

Thousands of firefighters from across the state gathered in the city Friday for the 148th annual convention to hear updates from the Firemen's Association and to voice their concerns.

This is the 50th year the

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